Do you suspect that your partner or spouse is a narcissist? You may be right. Narcissists are charming. Since the first date, they put on a show to reel you in. Drawn to how confident and exciting they are, you fall for their attractive and intriguing personality. And yet, as the relationship develops, you may […]
toxic relationship
13 Signs You’re Dating Mr. Big (And Why You Should Dump Him)
Are you dating a real-life Mr. Big? These signs can tell you if you’ve fallen for an emotionally unavailable man, and what to do about it. Carrie and Mr. Big… Although it’s been 10 years since the finale of Sex and the City, the central relationship of my favorite HBO series still puzzles me. Was it […]
7 Signs You’re In a Toxic Trauma Bond Relationship
A trauma bond is a toxic relationship that is forged out of pain, abuse, and codependency. It’s often a romantic relationship, but it can also be a relationship with a parent, sibling, or even a friend. Similar to Stockholm Syndrome when captives become emotionally attached to their captors, people in abusive relationships become attached (or […]
Can You Recognize These 15 Subtle Signs of Emotional Abuse?
The danger of toxic relationships is that it’s not always obvious they’re toxic. The abuse can be subtle and continue for years or even decades. So how do you recognize the signs of emotional abuse in what seems like a normal relationship? First, listen to your gut. Next, see if you can recognize these subtle […]
How to Deal With Someone Who’s Always Playing the Victim
Do you know someone who’s always playing the victim? Someone who never takes responsibility for their actions? Then you know how exhausting it can be to listen to their endless tales of woe and feel a mixture of pity and frustration. Bad things just constantly happen to them, don’t they? And no matter how hard […]
Why You Shouldn’t Accept Gifts from Your Toxic Mother-in-Law
A gift is by definition a selfless offering. But when you’re dealing with a toxic mother-in-law, beware of gifts with long, wiry strings attached to them. You might be thinking: why would my mother-in-law give me gifts? She hates me! It’s precisely to hide that fact a toxic mother-in-law will give you gifts or offer […]